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Proverbs 26:4

WisdomWords and speechConflict and reconciliation

2 Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

6 Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
KJV
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
WEB
Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
ASV
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
DARBY
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
BLB
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you be likened to him—even you.
ÅB
Svar ikke dåren etter hans dårskap, for at du ikke selv skal bli ham lik!
OTB
Svar ikke en dåre etter hans dårskap, for at du ikke skal bli lik ham selv.
B1930
Svar ikke dåren efter hans dårskap, forat du ikke selv skal bli ham lik!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Peter 3:9

    Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 26:5

    Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

    Read in context

  • Jude 1:9

    But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 17:14

    To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 12:14

    and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 12:16

    When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home,

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 19:41–43

    Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?”

    Read in context

  • Judges 12:1–6

    Then the men of Ephraim assembled and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside!”

    Read in context